Brazil legend Cafu tips Real Madrid for Champions League glory

By Stuart MacLennan 2014-05-11 13:35:00 20140511

Cafu is the only player to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals - Action Images

Brazil double World Cup-winning defender Cafu, often hailed as the greatest right back of all time, has lent his views on the Champions League final between Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico, which takes place in Lisbon on May 24.

Cafu, who won football's biggest prize in 1994 and again in 2002, amassing an incredible 142 caps in the process, told ESPN Brasil: "I think Real Madrid will be champions."

"Even though Atletico are one of the best European teams at the moment, with it being a single match, something that Madrid are used to playing with, with athletes used to the competition, a team that has already won it nine times, I think it will be Real."

"And having the best player in the world (Cristiano Ronaldo) also helps. It's always a postive reference for the team."

"You can give him the ball all the time. If you have the best player in the world, in a fantastic phase, it will only weigh more towards Real."

Cafu won the tournament himself with AC Milan in 2007, as well as 19 other major trophies in a most glittering of club careers that saw him also represent Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Real Zaragoza and AS Roma.